BE GENEROUS
Pr 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
This is one of the many promises concerning generosity. Practicing generosity also helps one to measure to what degree money, in the form of greed, has become an idol in one's life and if so, generosity helps to overcome such greed. Thus Jesus said to the rich young ruler, who thought that he was a "good" person, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." Mr 10:21 But the man went away sad. Do you find it difficult to give away money?
A good New Testament reference to the promise above is 2Cor 9:6-11
Here we learn first that, contrary to a legalistic "tithing" concept, the Christian is to give whatever amount and to whatever cause he has decided in his heart. This is a good principle when it comes to deciding on the amount to give to a particular cause. Give up to the point where you feel reluctant to give more. (As you practice generosity you may find that you're increasingly feeling less reluctant the more you give. But that's often a matter of practice) And secondly we learn that the purpose of God granting prosperity to the generous giving is in order that they may use it for further acts of generosity.
Now there many opportunities to practice generosity whether giving to individuals or to charity organization. As an example, I mention some charities at Some Christian Charities
The Proverb Series
Pr 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
This is one of the many promises concerning generosity. Practicing generosity also helps one to measure to what degree money, in the form of greed, has become an idol in one's life and if so, generosity helps to overcome such greed. Thus Jesus said to the rich young ruler, who thought that he was a "good" person, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." Mr 10:21 But the man went away sad. Do you find it difficult to give away money?
A good New Testament reference to the promise above is 2Cor 9:6-11
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Here we learn first that, contrary to a legalistic "tithing" concept, the Christian is to give whatever amount and to whatever cause he has decided in his heart. This is a good principle when it comes to deciding on the amount to give to a particular cause. Give up to the point where you feel reluctant to give more. (As you practice generosity you may find that you're increasingly feeling less reluctant the more you give. But that's often a matter of practice) And secondly we learn that the purpose of God granting prosperity to the generous giving is in order that they may use it for further acts of generosity.
Now there many opportunities to practice generosity whether giving to individuals or to charity organization. As an example, I mention some charities at Some Christian Charities
The Proverb Series
